Foundational Objective:
Analyze forms of art from a variety of cultures and societies, historical and contemporary; interpret meanings within appropriate contexts; and relate their understanding to their own expressions and life experiences.

Learning Objectives
  • investigate the role and functions of visual art
  • recognize how visual art can teach us about ourselves, other individuals and the society in which it is created
  • investigate the contributions of Saskatchewan, Canadian and international artists to the field of visual art
  • understand how historical, social and environmental factors and issues influence visual art and artists
  • research to understand the traditional and contemporary visual art of various cultures, past and present, including Aboriginal cultures
  • understand how visual art can transmit or challenge cultural values, ideas and beliefs
  • develop an understanding of the issues and concerns of visual artists and explore controversies related to the arts
  • use knowledge of theories of art in attempting to understand and evaluate art works


Foundational Objective:
Use analytical and critical thought to respond to art works and infer meanings based on the many contexts of visual art and global issues.

Learning Objectives
  • understand that visual art is a form of communication and critically examine non-verbal communication in art works of all kinds
  • perceive, describe, analyze and interpret art works and make informed judgements using appropriate vocabulary
  • demonstrate the ability to use the process described in "Viewing Art Works" in this document, and actively participate when viewing and discussing visual art and related issues
  • analyze to understand how the creative process, the elements of art, principles of design and technical ability work together to communicate artists' intentions
  • examine various styles of art, both historical and contemporary, in a variety of art forms
  • demonstrate an open-minded approach to diversity of ideas and artistic styles and respect informed opinions that differ from their own
  • demonstrate the ability to write critically about visual art, basing ideas on evidence found in the works and the cultural contexts of the works
  • demonstrate the ability to research independently in order to increase their understanding of visual art and to further knowledge on a variety of themes
  • determine how unlike art forms and styles require different criteria for interpretation and evaluation
  • investigate how artists use metaphor, symbol, juxtaposition and other means to convey meaning
  • recognize that artists make choices in their work which reflect themes and points of view that are both personal and social


From the Sask Learning Evergreen Curriculum